Blood on the Sand

[MitsukaiKumo Raikage]

The sun was beating down on the sand of Kaze no Kuni, a dry breeze drifted across the country. On the dry dusty road walked a young man with flowing red hair tied in a pony tail, wearing a red kimono and white hakama, a sword hanging at his waist. Kenji shielded his eyes from the dust kicked up in the breeze as he made his way to the training grounds. Once there the young Genin was disappointed to find the training grounds empty, shrugging he started to run laps waiting for someone to show.

[ArcileIwa Tsuchikage]

I was assigned a rather simple task, by a subordinate of her lady, Mei Tsaki. There was a genin who wished to be trained in the ways of the sword. Who better to train him than I, the lady's trusted bodyguard, well versed in the ways of the sword myself. I would approach him, and bow halfway, "My name is Himura Souma, I would prefer it if you addressed me as Himura for the time being." You would have to admit by his garb, that he had well dressed for both the environment and the part. I stared his red-white down with my earthen brown and gray, my white hair and red eyes glaring into his. A serious expression would cross my face, attempting to gauge his nerve. I quickly followed up with this, "Simply put, every swordsman has their preferred style and technique. If it isn't too much to ask, I'd like to see your preference."

[MitsukaiKumo Raikage]

Kenji turned towards the young man that approached and bowed, returning the bow with one of his own, the red eyes on the man was almost as striking as the hair on Kenji's head, The massive blade on his back signaled to the young genin that the man before him was also a swordsman, of course the man's choice of words would just further confirm that. Once the man was done speaking Kenji would respond in kind, "Kirou Kenji, Currently training in the Kenjutsu style of my father who was from the land of iron, he uses a style he calls Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, It is a lightning fast sword style that pits one against many, if you draw your blade I will gladly give you a demonstration."

With that Kenji would take a few steps back putting a good starting distance between him and Himura-san, he would grip the sheath of his sword with his left hand his thumb pressed against the tsuba of his blade his right hand was firmly gripped on it's hilt, his stance was low with his right leg forward, it was a basic Iai stance, but rather than sheathing his blade after the draw he would flow into his other attacks. Should Himura-san draw his blade as Kenji requested the red haired genin would rush in, drawing his blade, sheath and all striking into Himura's sword with the sheath before pressing against the tsuba drawing the blade out spinning around he would turn the blade mid swing so that the back would strike against Himura's ribs. In a way he used a slightly modified version of one of his most advanced Battojutsu skills, the Souryuusen Ikazuchi.

40/50 Chakra

Spoiler:

[ArcileIwa Tsuchikage]

With a simple request, I easily accepted the challenge. My plan going forward was to essentially complete his technique, defending myself only when injury was likely. I nodded and bowed to him, then drew my blade, watching as his stance quickly switched from a lai stance to a heavy lunge, where his whole sheathe, sword and all rose to meet my blade, and pressing it back to a standstill. I only resisted enough for him to complete the maneuver, drawing his blade out and spinning, to catch me with the non-sharp edge of the blade. I was impressed to say the least. I was observant, noting his control and precision. "That's quite the technique there, Kenji-san. With a draw like that, you could easily catch most people off guard. But moreso, I admire the level of control you keep with that blade. It shows you're not always out to make the kill, and will easily be effective. Now for your next test. I want you to disarm me, but in your style. Okay?"

I'd level into my own stance, waiting for him to prepare. My stance was rather unorthodox, seeing as it was based around my throw and pull style, but he didn't know that yet. I was holding my blade at the hilt in a reverse grip. When he was ready, I would slide it out effortlessly, tossing the blade in the air. I'd use my speed advantage, reaching his rear, where the blade would fall into the ground. I'd pull it out and prepare to dash straight into the boy. If I felt the blade would impact him, I'd throw it again, away from him before impact.

[MitsukaiKumo Raikage]

Kenji watched as Souma drew his smaller blade, a sword that looked almost like a Katana though it had a slightly different shape than the norm, Kenji's sheath struck Souma's sword meeting with enough resistance to stop the blunt strike dead, as the back of his sword struck home, if Kenji hadn't flipped it the blow would have been lethal. Breaking off after his strike he smirked at Souma's compliment to his maneuver. Replacing his sheath on his belt while Souma gave him his next test which was to disarm the more experienced shinobi. That would not be an easy task to say the least, atleast that is what Kenji thought up until Souma threw his blade into the air, lobbing it over the red-haired genin before rushing around him to get the blade. Turning around Kenji barely got his blade up in time to block the slash. The force of the blow causing Kenji to slide backwards, though he would recover almost immediately rushing in keeping his blade low he would leap upwards for a rising strike, aimed at the pommel of Souma's blade, hoping the force of the strike would knock the weapon free "Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu - Ryuushousen"

Chakra: 37/50 (40 - 5 [Ryuushousen] + 2 Regen)

Techniques Used:

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